I was born in Australia in 1955. I had congenital heart disease. No-one knows what caused it however my mother always suspected it was environmental, caused by the chemicals she inhaled which were liberally sprayed on the farms in those days.

I nearly died several times during my childhood. I had surgery to correct my heart at the age of 13 years. It is to this surgeon I owe my life as heart surgery was still being pioneered.

I have always known I was given a "second chance" so tried to put my life to good use, working as a welfare officer, helping others. I raised 2 adopted kids.

I did have a difficult childhood due to my illness and my father's alcoholism. And as an adult I have had many sadnesses as well.

This has made me a compassionate person because I really feel for others, especially children who suffer.

I want to use the latter half of my life to contribute something to the next generation. i am 54 years but my health is starting to fail again now. I find that the heart can never be "totally" corrected, therefore I am again battling shortness of breath. I also have an auto immune illness which makes me sensitive to the heat. Great when you live in a hot country!

But I don't intend to leave anytime soon as I have "miles to go before I sleep" to quote the American poet Robert Frost.

I feel I must contribute something to the next generation. Kids are most on my mind as we should be helping them all we can. I cry whenever I hear about some little kid suffering.

I myself am now a grandmother to two little boys whom I see as often as I can.

thank you for listening to my story. I want it to help others. Many people over the years of my childhood and even now, have expected that I would not live. But I thank God, I am still here and looking every day to ways I can encourage others. I too need encouragement.

With kindest regards to brothers and sisters everywhere

Maggie